Today's fire departments are staffed with people with a variety of licenses and certifications, including Commercial Vehicle Operators, CPR Instructors, Paramedics, and Technical Rescue Technicians.

When firefighters are not responding to those types of emergencies, they train, maintain their equipment, clean their stations, perform business inspections, test hydrants, participate in physical fitness activities, landscape their fire station properties, visit schools for career and safety days, provide fire safety training for businesses, and attend public events.